The provincial government recently announced it is stepping up its drug-prevention measures by sending naloxone kits to all public post-secondary institutions and First Nations-mandated institutions.
In total, the government has sent 1,600 kits in an effort to prevent on-campus overdoses as students return for the fall semester.
The kits will be available anonymously on campus in locations such as designated cabinets, student health buildings and residential buildings, and will be placed near emergency phones or automated external defibrillators, making it easier to access the life-saving medicine in the event of a crisis.
“Every life lost to the toxic-drug crisis is a profound tragedy for our communities, and I expect all public post-secondary institutions to take steps to protect students,” said Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Jessie Sunner. “That’s why my ministry directed the creation of overdose prevention and response guidelines to enhance and align the strategies of our public post-secondary institutions. The Overdose Prevention and Response Steering Committee is continuing its work to update these guidelines and build on the progress made to improve campus safety.”
The kits were provided as part of the ongoing work of the post-secondary overdose steering committee, which was established to review existing policies, identify gaps and establish leading practices for overdose prevention on campus across the province.
The committee was formed in May 2024 after the death of University of Victoria student Sidney McIntyre-Starko, who overdosed along with two other students after taking drugs laced with fentanyl — an incident that highlighted issues with campus overdose-prevention resources across the province.
College of New Caledonia president and CEO Cindy Heitman noted the importance of having the resources in a crisis.
“At CNC, safety is a shared responsibility and prevention is one of our strongest tools. By ensuring naloxone kits are readily available across all campuses, training our security teams and making it easy to call for help in an emergency, we’re taking practical steps to protect our community. In moments of crisis, having the right resources close at hand can save lives, and that’s a responsibility we take to heart.”
The University of Northern BC was also among the recipients, with a total of 38 naloxone kits (76 doses) and 19 cabinets.
“At UNBC, we are committed to the safety and well-being of our community through access to naloxone and overdose-prevention training,” said UNBC president Geoff Payne. “Thanks to the support of the provincial government, nasal naloxone kits are available across our campuses, creating a safer environment for everyone. Our Security and Residence Life staff are trained in naloxone administration, and the UNBC Medical Clinic offers training for anyone who wishes to learn.”
